Readier To Do Good, They Say

A new oil company is getting ready to start drilling for oil in the Stann Creek District by the end of this month.

They're called Treaty Energy Belize, a New Orleans based company contracted by Princess Petroleum LTD to explore their concession block in the south.

Today the Treaty Charitable Trust launched the BELIZEAN NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FUND, a charitable enterprise that wants to start working in Belize even before the first drop of oil is fund.

If it sounds like putting the cart before the horse, the fast talking President, Pitchman and President for the Leadership Fund outlined the big vision he has for Belize:

Jimmy LaRose - Pres. Treaty Charitable Trust"As Treaty Energy drills for oil, and then it finds oil, the profits that everyone will enjoy, a portion of them is being set aside to invest into the nation and the country of Belize. Well, what does it look like to make right choices about how those funds will be expended, invested, and shared? And we are of the opinion that in order to do that, local individuals, local government officials - in country corporations - individuals who are committed to advancing the common good, they need to form the board of directors of the Belizean National Leadership Fund. Next month we'lll be bringing a television crew, and we will be shooting Travel with Spirit, Belize, a family-friendly television show that's going to outline - and for the purpose of - this will be Treaty Charitable Trust, and eventually the Belizean National Leadership Funds initiatives for the purpose of increasing revenues, cross sector, here in Belize by increasing tourism."

Jules Vasquez"There is no assurance that oil will be found. How is it that you all are able to make all forward planning without - in the absence of certainty that oil will be found?"

Jimmy LaRose"Mr. Vasquez, you got me. Here's what we need to decide. We have to decide do we wait until something happens, or do we begin planning now? And we put together the organization now, and we believe for the best, as it relates to - we're not down here to fail. And in good faith, we are moving ahead in wanting to organize the leadership today, because as you'll find out from Brian, we have equipment in country. The people who are going to do the drilling will be here, I believe, at the very end of the month, somewhere between the 20th and the 25th, to just take that next step, to be able to get to the point where we will be able to say, 'Yes, we have found oil.' So until that occurs, it's going to be hard to talk about - specifically - how much money is going to be invested. However, the Belizean National Leadership Fund is funded by 3D Charitable Trust, and we have successful ventures in other areas of the world, other than Belize. And I could assure you, it is not going to require us to strike oil before we begin to invest."

You can find out more information about the group though a link at 7newsbelize.com...

I watched this guy on the newscast. I googled his website. Seems he's convinced Treaty Oil that he can help bridge the cultural gap and get Belize's people on his side for this thing. Sadly, he does come off as a slick-like-willy salesman. They missed their mark. I am more leary now of the organization than i was before i heard him.

Having said that, setting up a trust for the country is a good idea, however, i'm not sure why 2 Americans and only 4 Belizean's will be on the BOD, that will, of course, be selected by the American Company.

I hope some strong forward thinking Belizeans are interested in being on the BOD so our countrys best interests, not those latent desires of the Treaty Oil Company, are actually protected.

I dont mean to be negative, and i think i'd have a better feeling about this company if not for the "Spokesman" Jimmy LaRose they've hired. He instantly reads "insincere" to me. I hope he's not. He was VERY pleased with himself for the "TV show that will be aired on 7 channels" but failed to list the channels. he went on to say how the show will help tourism - not sure how oil drilling will help tourism, but hey, what the heck do i know